What to Buy for a Smoker Barbecue

A smoker barbecue needs more than meat and charcoal. You’ll need enough food for a long cooking window, cold storage while the smoker runs, and serving equipment that can handle hot, tender meat. Plan drinks, sides and sauces separately so the buffet does not run short while guests wait. This shopping list also covers practical items people often remember too late, such as smoking wood, fuel, trays, lighting and waste bins.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 40
Buffet tablesqty 3
Tableclothsqty 6

Equipment

Smoker
Meat thermometerqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Serving tongsqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 5
Aluminum traysqty 12

Tableware

Platesqty 50
Bowlsqty 40
Glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lanternsqty 4

Decorations

Napkin holdersqty 6
Table décorqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Vacuum cleaner
Bucketsqty 2
Spongesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Pork belly - 3 kilogram
- Spareribs - 5 kilogram
- Chicken thighs - 4 kilogram
- Beef burgers - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 8 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 48 pieces
- Corn cobs - 40 pieces
- Potatoes - 6 kilograms
- Coleslaw - 3 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 3 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Fresh parsley - 4 bunches
- Fresh coriander - 3 bunches
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Apple cider vinegar - 1 bottle
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Soy sauce - 2 bottles
- Honey - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Smoked paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Onion powder - 1 jar
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Brown sugar - 1 kilogram
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Beer - 8 crates
- Non-alcoholic lager - 2 crates
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 kilograms
- Charcoal - 15 kilogram
- Smoking wood - 4 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Cleaning cloths - 10 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 4 pairs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Allow about 250–350 g of raw meat per adult when meat is the main course, plus 150–200 g per child. Add 10–15% extra if the cut has bones or guests are likely to take seconds.
Plan 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 drink per person per hour. Chill them in coolers before guests arrive and keep a separate cooler for raw meat if possible.
Buy smoking wood for the full cooking time rather than relying on a last-minute top-up. Keep charcoal and wood dry, and check that your smoker, thermometer and extension cords are ready before shopping day.
For buffet service, count one plate, bowl, glass and full cutlery set per guest, plus roughly 10% spare. Buy extra aluminum trays for cooked meat, sauces and leftovers so hot food does not sit on cutting boards.
Prepare for weather and darkness: a party tent, tablecloths, waste bins, string lights or LED lanterns, and enough cleaning supplies should be available before the smoker is lit.

Frequently asked questions

How much meat do I need for a smoker barbecue per person?: Buy 250–350 g of raw meat per adult when meat is the main dish, and 150–200 g per child. For bone-in cuts, add 10–15% because part of the purchase weight is not edible.
How many drinks should I buy for a barbecue?: Plan 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, followed by 1 drink per person per hour. Add water and non-alcoholic options for every guest, then chill everything at least 4 hours before serving.
What equipment do I need for a smoker barbecue?: At minimum, have a smoker, meat thermometer, charcoal, smoking wood, coolers, aluminum trays, cutting boards, a chef’s knife, serving tongs and serving spoons. Check the smoker and thermometer at least 1 day before the barbecue.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a barbecue?: Count one plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% spare. For 20 guests, that means at least 22 of each item, unless you plan to wash and reuse them during the event.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.